Notebook: UF O-line taking shape

Monday

Aug 13, 2012 at 9:10 PM

Florida's starting offensive line is starting to take shape, and there are no real surprises up front.

By Robbie AndreuStaff writer

Florida's starting offensive line is starting to take shape, and there are no real surprises up front.UF coach Will Muschamp on Monday revealed the Gators' first-team offensive line in Saturday's scrimmage. “Chaz Green was at right tackle, right guard was (Jon) Halapio, Jon Harrison was the center, Kyle Koehne and James Wilson rotated at left (guard), and then Xavier Nixon was at left tackle, but also played right tackle some,” Muschamp said.“(True freshman) D.J. Humphries got some reps in there (at left tackle). Jessamen Dunker got some reps at right guard, Sam Robey got some reps at center. Trip Thurman got some reps at right tackle to go along with Matt Patchan.”Muschamp has been complimenting the offensive line since the spring, saying it is much-improved from a year ago.“We need to see it on game day,” he said. “We're kind of tired of talking about the line, complimenting them, until they do it on game day. There's no question, we're night-and-day better.”'

One of the positives to come out of Saturday's scrimmage is that the Gators sustained no serious injuries.Starting tight end Jordan Reed twisted his knee, but he's expected to miss only two or three more days of practice, Muschamp said.“He'll be fine,” Muschamp said. “He was a little sore, but there are no issues, no surgery, no nothing. There are no other significant injuries at this time.”Muschamp said true freshman safety Marcus Maye (knee) practiced for the first time Sunday.“He looked good for the first time out there,” Muschamp said.

Muschamp said there's a good chance sophomore Marcus Roberson will be the Gators' No. 1 punt returner this season.“Right now, he would be the guy,” Muschamp said. “Andre Debose has been back there and done some really nice things. I feel comfortable with him. Pop Saunders would be a guy. Loucheiz Purifoy has done it a little bit. Trey Burton has done it a little bit.“But Marcus, right now, would probably be the starter.”Muschamp said the Gators will have two punt returners on the field at times, including in the Sept. 1 opener against Bowling Green.“With the directional kicking that we face nowadays, we've kind of gone to where we're going to have two back there a lot,” he said. “Starting with our first game with Bowling Green, they're going to spray the ball. In order to not let vertical field position change as much, when the ball in bouncing, be able to field the ball.”

Muschamp said he's been impressed with true freshman Dante Fowler, who is getting plenty of reps at the Buck position behind senior starter Lerentee McCray.“He's done a nice job. He's been a guy that has produced well,” Muschamp said. “He's been very attentive in meetings. He asks questions, the right kind of questions. He plays hard.“It's hard for a young man to come in in the summer and understand the tempo and understand the mental gymnastics you have playing the game. He's working very hard at it.”Another true freshman who appears headed for possible significant playing time this season is tight end Kent Taylor.“Athletically and in the throwing game, he's a really good athlete,” Muschamp said. “He catches the ball well. He's just got to get stronger and that takes some time to play on the line of scrimmage in this league.“But he will play in the slot and as we continue through camp, he's a guy that needs to continue to progress on special teams. He needs to help us on special teams. He's a really good athlete, so we'll see how it goes.”

Although the Gators are down to seven scholarship wide receivers, Muschamp seems pleased with the production from the players he has catching the ball in camp.“Frankie Hammond has been our most consistent receiver,” he said. “Quinton Dunbar has done some nice things. Andre Debose has done some nice things. Latroy Pittman continues to do some nice things.“And (true freshman) Raphael Andrades has been a guy that I've been pleased with. He's got good hands and runs good routes and he's very reliable.“Obviously, Jordan Reed has done some nice things at tight end, and Omarius Hines and Trey Burton in the slot. We've got some different avenues that aren't necessarily labeled the wide receiver position that we use.”